New to the Criterion Collection in the UK is the classic film noir melodrama, Mildred Pierce. Directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Ann Blyth and Zachary Scott, the film tells the story of the titular Mildred – a middle aged mother who finds herself caught up in a murder.
In the movie, a shot is fired and Mildred’s second husband, Monte Beragon falls to the floor. Before he dies, Monte utters his final word: ‘Mildred’.
A short while later, the police investigate and take Mildred down to headquarters. They then inform Mildred she is in the clear, as they have a chief suspect in custody: Her first husband, Bert.
Mildred tells the police they have the wrong man. She then proceeds to explain the details of her life, including the reasons why Burt isn’t the person they are after.
Based on the book of the same name by James M. Cain, Mildred Pierce is classic picture from yesteryear which is often regarded as one of the greatest melodramas of all-time – and rightly so. The film boasts an Academy Award-winning performance from lead star Joan Crawford, is beautifully shot, and is brilliant and bonkers in equal measure.
It’s bonkers because Mildred Pierce starts off as one thing, before becoming something else completely. The film opens with an intriguing murder mystery, with Mildred’s second husband bumped off under mysterious circumstances, then it transforms into a domestic drama about the trials and tribulations of Mildred’s life.
One minute there is a body and an intriguing crime, and the next minute there is a tale about Mildred baking pies and becoming a restaurant owner. The film has mystery and suspense, but it also has humour and absurdity.
One scene sees Mildred having to deal with the sudden death of her youngest daughter to pneumonia, while the next scene has Mildred back in the kitchen, laughing and joking, determined to make her new restaurant a success! The juxtaposition of the drama is fabulous, moving from one end of the scale to the other and it’s all expertly handled.
At the centre of the story is Mildred, and at the heart of the film is her role as a mother and protector. The crux of this tale revolves around Mildred’s relationship with daughter, Veda, and the whole thing is very much about Mildred’s connection with her friends and family.
With its heightened drama and its focus on the ups and downs of life, Mildred Pierce is a soap opera before soap operas became a thing. Think of it as a dark version of Neighbours, only with an Oscar-winning turn from Joan Crawford, and without the Kennedys or Madge… or Bouncer.
Due to it being the perfect example of melodrama in action, Mildred Pierce is regularly shown to film students. The movie is a masterclass in creating a story out of every day situations and making that story compelling to watch.
If you’re a fan of Mildred Pierce you’ll be pleased to know this new home video release is an all-bells-and-whistles set. First up, it includes a 4K UHD disc AND a copy of the film on Blu-ray, and then there are featurettes and bonus material galore.
The extras include a conversation with critics Molly Haskell and Robert Polito; an excerpt from a 1970 episode of The David Frost Show featuring Joan Crawford; and a Q&A with actor Ann Blyth. To add to this there is a segment from The Today Show; a movie trailer; an essay by critic Imogen Sara Smith; and a feature-length documentary on Joan Crawford.
All of this is housed within a plastic case featuring cover art by Sean Phillips. It looks great on the shelf, and if you wish to pick one up it is available from HMV, Fopp, and all good entertainment retailers.
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